Electric switch.



J. R. ROSSIGNOL. ELECTRIC SWITCH. APPLIOATION rum) 111111.12, 1910.

Patented Apr. 4, 1911.

Masai (I201 1 UNITED STATES JOSEPH RICE ROSSIGNOL,

0F SAVANNAH, GEORGIA.

ELECTRIC SWITCH.

988,821. Specification of Application filed March 1'0 all nihom it mayconcern:

Be it known that. I, Josnrn ll. ROSSIGNOL, a citizen of the UnitedStates of America. residing at Savannah, in the county of (h-at ham andState of Georgia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inElectric Switches, of which the following is a specification, referencebeing had therein to the accompanying drawing.

This invention relates to electric switches. and has especial referenceto cut-out switches for opening and closing an electric circuit.

The obj'ect of the invention is to provide an improved electric switchby means of which the circuit may be instantaneously closed and broken.These and other objects of the invention will appear in the course ofthe following specification.

Referring to the accompanying drawing. Figure 1 is a side view, inelevation and partly in vertical section of a casing and an electriccutout switch constructed in accordance with this invention mountedtherein. Fig. 2 is a detail face view of the insulated back of thecasing, showing a portion of the switch mounted thereon. Fig. 3 is adetail; view in perspective of the switch operating lever detached fromthe switch. Fig. l is a detail view in perspective of one of the contactplates. Fig. 5 is a detail view in perspective of the movable contactportion of the switch. Fig. (3 is a detail plan view, partly inhorizontal section and broken away, showing a portion of the asing andthe pivotal support for the operating lever.

In carrying outthe invention, the switch is preferably mounted in asuitable casing 1 having one of its sides-2 'formed of insulat ingmaterial, and its other side secured to a wall or other support 3 formedwith an aperture 4 which is in alinement with an aperture 5 in thecwallof the casing. Said casing is secured to the partition 3 by means ofscrews 6, or other suitable fastening means.

' Mounted on the insulating back 2 are a couple of contact plates 7which are connected with circuit wires-.8. Slidable in guides S) on theinsulating back .2 is a reciprocating contact bar 10 formed with a head11 preferably of an angular shape, and, as here shown. with inclinedsides 12 which are adapted to contact. as the bar 10 is moved forward.with the inclined sides 13 of the contact plates 7. The contact bar 10is operated by suitable means, and, as here shown,

Letters Patent.

Serial No. 549,056.

! preferably by means ot a lever 141: pivoted at one end to an arm 15projecting from the lowerend of the contact bar It). The ope 'ac inglever H is provided with a pivot pin lti which mounted in a longitudinalslot ll 'l'ormcdiu arms ti" on the side of the easing. therebypermitting a sliding throw of the pivotalportion ot' the lever when thelatter'is operated; The lever l-lhas an extended portion or arm 18projecting through the openings 5 and 4 and having at its outer end aninsulating handle 19. Mounted on the lever l-l adjacent to its pivot'alpoint and concentric therewith is a curved strip 20 which bears againstan angular spring strip 21 secured at one: end. as at 21', to the sideof the casing. and having its other end loosely mounted upon the side ofthe easing and adapted to slide thereon.

The operation of the switch is as follows: The switch being in theposition shown in l igs. l and in order to close the circuit the handleportion 18 is pulled downward to the position shown in dotted lines inFig. 1, thereby raising the contact bar 10 and its head ll into closedposition with the contact; plates 13. thereby closing the circuit. Asthe switch lever 14 is operated. the curved projection 2t) thereon bearsagainst the angular portion of the spring 21 and compresses the latter.as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1. thereby holding the spring 91 undertension when the switch is closed. \Vhen it is desired to break thecircuit, the switch handle portion 18 is raised from the position shownin dotted lines in Fig. 1, and as it is raised the curved projection 20of the switch lever the spring 21 permits the latter to react and throwthe switchlever 14 downward with a snap action, thereby instantaneouslysnapping the contact head 11 out of engagment with the contact plates13.

It will be seen that by means of this de vice the contact head 11 willbe instantaneously moved into and out of closed position with thecontact. plates 13. owing to the angular shape'of the head and oftheplates 13. the contact surfaces of said plates being instantly engagedor released as the contact bar 10 is moved into and out of position withthe contact. plates 13.

What I claim as my invention is:-

An electric switch comprising a pair of contact plates spaced apart fromeach other,

Patented Apr. 4., 1911.

a slidablc contact bar having a contact head,

14 passing away from the angular point of an operating lever pivoted atone end to said contact bar and having its fulcrum pivot pin mounted ina longitudinal slot on a' support, a curved projection on said leveradjacent to its pivotal point, and an angular spring fixed at one endand free at the other end and bearing against said curved projection onthe operating lever.

2, An electric switch comprising a pair of contact plates spaced apartfrom each other and each having an opposite angular contact surface, areciprocating contact bar having a contact head-with inclined sidesadapted to engage said contact plates, a lever pivoted at one end tosaid Contact .bar and hingitudinally movable at its pivotal point, acurved projection concentric with the pivotal point of said lever, andan angular spring fastened at one end and slidable at the other andhaving its angular portion bearing against said curved projection.

3. in electric switch comprising a casing having a back of insulatingmaterial, and its opposite side provided with an opening, a pair ofcontact plates spaced apart from each other and each having an oppositeangular contact surface and mounted on said ,mounted on said insulatingback and having a contact head With inclined contact sides adapted toengage said contact plates and having an angular arm at its other end,an operating lever pi-votally mounted on a support in said casing andhaving its pivot pin loosely mounted in a longitudinal slot in saidsupport, said lever being pivoted at one end to said arm on the contactbar andhaving a curved projection concentric with its pivotal point, alever extension projecting through the opening in the casing and havingan insulating handle. and a V-shaped spring fastened at one end to theside of the casing and having its other end adapted to slide upon theside of the casing, the angular portion of said spring bearing againstthe curved projection on the lever.

In testimony whereof I hereunto afliX my I in presence of two Witnesses.JOSEPH RICE ROSS'IGNOL. Witnesses H. N. JANIoR,

J. W. Danes.

si gnatur'e

